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Home , Daryl Hannah, Kirstie Alley, Olympia Dukakis

A10 | Sunday, May2,2021 | beaumontenterprise.com |Beaumont Enterprise OBITUARIES Oscar-winning actress Dukakis dies at 89

By Nardine Saad the second leg,” she wrote , which higher salary on “Look LOS ANGELES TIMES in her 2003 autobiography, shaped much of her world Who’s Talking.” After that, “Ask Me Again Tomorrow:A view. Assimilating to Amer- she settled into a Louisiana Oscar winner Olympia Life in Progress.” ican culture, she said, was a salon alongside fellow cele- Dukakis, the theater veter- Her cousin lost the elec- lifelong process. brated actresses Shirley an who rose to prominence tion to George H.W. Bush, Aself-proclaimed “poster MacLaine, , late in her career with mem- but the Dukakis cousins re- child for the bad Greek , Dolly Parton and orable turns in films mained politically active. daughter,” Dukakis said she Daryl Hannah in Herbert such as “” and The actress, who had been was encouraged “to strive to Ross’ classic 1989 film adap- “,” has died “clipping coupons and be authentic” and to be- tation of “Steel Magnolias.” at the age of 89. shopping for bargain jeans, come an American without Dukakis played the gossip- Dukakis, who also while working 10- to 12-hour betraying her Greek heri- loving Clairee Belcher, starred in “Look Who’s days at the theater” before tage. The stage gave her a whose memorable zingers Talking” and “Mr. Holland’s her Oscar nomination, was safe arena to do just that. included the boast “if you Opus,” died at her home in alifelong arts patron and “It was a place with firm can’t say anything nice . liberal activist who advocat- enough boundaries that I about anybody, come sit by “My beloved sister, Olym- ed for numerous causes, could take emotional and me.” pia Dukakis, passed away particularly women’s rights psychological risks there. It However, the newly mint- this morning in New York and the environment. was also a place where I ed film star still devoted City,” wrote her brother It was her philanthropy could be physical, sexual, much of her time and re- Apollo, who confirmed her and heritage that enabled and spontaneous. It was the sources to the theater, work- death on his Facebook page her name to appear on the place where I felt the most ing on and offstage for more Saturday. “After many in alive,” she wrote. than 40 years. months of failing health she 2013. The Greek America Dukakis graduated from “As an actress, I’ve made is finally at peace and with Foundation, which she long , where choices that led me directly her (husband) Louis (Zor- supported, came up with she earned a degree in phys- away from the fame and for- ich).” The cause of death has the $30,000 required for ical therapy and a master’s tune acting is supposed to yet to be determined. the application. Additional- in performing arts. She bring,” she wrote. The longtime stage ac- ly, she was approached to dreamed of having her own She and Zorich founded tress showcased her talent Associated Press file photo play the matriarch in Nia theater company (she the Charles Playhouse in on a broader stage in 1987 as Olympia Dukakis holds her Oscar at the Shrine Vardalos’ 2002 runaway hit would eventually have two) Boston and the Whole The- ’s sardonic mother in Auditorium in Los Angles after being honored at the “My Big Fat Greek Wed- and touring Europe, per- ater in Montclair, N.J., in the ’s romantic 60th as best supporting actress for ding,” but declined because forming the classics. 1970s. They appeared to- classic “Moonstruck.” She her role in “Moonstrck” on April 11, 1988. Veteran of a scheduling conflict, she “I did not become an ac- gether in several produc- was 56 when she played stage and screen actress Dukakis died Saturday told The Tribune in tor in order to become fa- tions and Dukakis worked meddlesome Italian matri- morning in her home in New York City. She was 89. 2003. She added that she mous or rich. I became an tirelessly as an actress and arch Rose Castorini, whose “wasn’t that enthusiastic actor so I could play the producer trying to keep the involvement in her wid- those pork chops?’ They kis, winning the Democratic about the part.” great parts,” she said. lights on. owed daughter’s love life say, ‘Do you know who you nomination in the1988 pres- “I’m happy it’s had suc- She arrived in New York “I wanted the opportuni- and wry concerns about her are?’ It’s real funny,” she idential election. During her cess. I know some Greeks in late 1959 but could only ty to play parts I wouldn’t own straying husband told the Los Angeles Times Oscars acceptance speech, feel conflicted about it.I find parts playing ethnic get the chance to play, to use earned Dukakis an Acade- in 1991. she stumped for him, con- didn’t grow up with those roles, of which there were what I felt I understood my Award for supporting Incidentally, her iconic cluding her remarks by kind of people.” she said. few. about theater, to take re- actress, a Golden Globe and toilet line hadn’t been in the spontaneously shouting “That wasn’t my Greek ex- “It would have been a hell sponsibility and not always aBAFTA nomination. script, but was improvised “OK, Michael, let’s go!” as perience.” of a lot easier to get acting wait for ‘the grown-ups’ to “The fun part is that peo- based on experiences with she lifted her Oscar statu- Born in Lowell, Massa- jobs if my name were Day in- decide,” she told The Times. ple pass me on the street her own mother. ette in the air like a baton. chusetts, on June 20, 1931, stead of Dukakis, but then I But the theater business and yell lines from my mov- Dukakis became a house- “I felt as though I had run Dukakis was the daughter of wouldn’t have had the satis- was unsustainable and they ies: For ‘Moonstruck’ they hold name in 1988 by way of the first leg of a very impor- immigrants from southern faction of seeing the family shut it down in 1990 be- say, ‘Your life is going down her Academy Award and tant race and it was time to Greece. She and her brother name - my parents’ name - cause of financial problems. the toilet.’ Or from ‘Dad,’ her cousin, former Massa- hand off that baton to Mi- Apollo grew up first-genera- displayed so visibly during She also taught drama at they say, ‘How much are chusetts Gov. Michael Duka- chael so that he could run tion in that time,” she said. and oc- Realizing that to get what casionally worked with her she wanted, she would have former students. “There’s to make things happen for such a thing as payback in herself, she turned to this business,” she told Can- Hughie Jennings Allen Virgie Mary Yo ung- , where she made ada’s Globe and Mail in 2013. 1939 ~2021 Butler her debut in “The Aspern “People have stepped out Papers” in 1962. That same for me. If I find somebody Hughie Jennings Allen 1923 ~2021 passed away peacefully on year she married actor-pro- that has talent, I step out for Virgie Mary Butler of Beau- April 28, 2021. He wasborn ducer , who him.” mont, Texaspassed away in Center, TexasonJune rose to fame on the televi- That maternal quality into God’sarms on Wednes- 22, 1939 to Willie Leroy sion show “Mad About carried over in her film and day, April 21, 2021 at her Allen and Blanche Kathleen home. You.” They have three chil- careers. Dukakis Pilot. Hughie wasknown In her 97 years, Vir- dren. was frequently cast in moth- for his laughter,deep voice, gie touched the lives and In 1963, she won an Obie erly roles that called for wis- broad smile, and strong broughtjoy to manywho Award for “A Man’s a Man” dom and strength - portray- handshake. Hughie had a knewher. heartfor people and never and a second two years later ing Kirstie Alley’s overbear- Thefuneral service will metastranger.Hehad in “The Marriage of Bette ing mom in “Look Who’s be at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, alove forfamily,friends, greatjoy in this activity. Stewart,RozettaCeasar, and Boo.” Talking” and “Look Who’s May3,2021 at TheGraveside music, cooking and caring Hughie had avariety of Olivia Ray, Lois Hayward; But it was her work the Talking, Too” and Ted Dan- Service, Live Oak Memorial forhis yard.Inhis youth, talents including grilling, nephews,Garland Young Park Cemetery. following year in the Broad- son’s smothering septuage- he joined Mt. Zion CME barbecuing, and growing (Etta),Keith B. Young, Robert Visitation: 12 noon -5:00 way comedy “Social Securi- narian mother in “Dad.” church and remained a agarden. Hughie valued Lomax (Minnie), Paul Lomax p.m. on today, Sunday, May ty” playing ’ Her television credits in- life-long faithful member. relationships -spending and other relatives and 2, 2021, at MercyFuneral Over the years, he served time with people brought friends. mother that caught Jewi- clude the transgender dra- Home. in numerous churches him energy and happiness! son’s eye. She said she took ma “” (1993) She is survived by her and utilized his God-given In his younger years, he was the role in “Moonstruck” and its sequel, which daughter,ShirleyOwens; musical talents. He will suretomakeinperson visits largely for the money, but earned her an Emmy nom- sister,Lela Young; grandson, lovinglyberemembered to sayhello.Inhis later Eric Owens; greatgrandson, regarded it as one of her ination. Locally, she ap- for his 40+ yearsofservice years, his frequentphone Tyler Owens; sister-in-law, lesser works. peared in “Vigil,” Morris Pa- as an educator,dedication calls and texts replaced those drive by’s via car,but Elouise Young; nieces, Joan “All of the attention I was nych’s 1995 dark comedy, in and service to others, his getting was lovely, of 2011. She uttered but 12 lines professional excellence, civic theywerestill often and and community involvement. jovial. course, but I was more than during her nearly two hours Most of all, he will be East Texasheld aspecial WilliamBruce Holliman alittle confused about why onstage as an elderly re- remembered for his love place in his heart. From 1952 ~2021 it had come at this point, cluse visited by a loquacious of music and playing the Center,toNacogdoches, and with this role, which, to loser. to Lufkin and all points in Born September 15th, Frances McCurryHolliman. piano from an earlyage for 1952, William Bruce Holliman He will be dearlymissed my mind, was not the great- Her latest acting credits church and special events. between, whenever in the area, he wassuretohit passed awaypeacefullyon as akind, loving soul who est part I had ever played,” include “” Hughie wasaprofessional April 16th, 2021, following a trulycared about others. she said. (2006), “In the Land of musician and has trained all the spots to sayhello to acousin or friend along sudden illness. While therewill notbeany But with the success of Women” (2007), “Bored to choirsand appeared on Bruce is survived by his formal funeral services, the radio and television on many the way. No matter where “Moonstruck” and her Death” (2009), “Forgive he traveled, Center held a son and son’s partner, familyinvites you to share cousin’s presidential run, Me,” (2013), and three proj- occasions. William Otis Frost Vaughan amemory online: www. At 16 yearsold, Hughie special place in his heart the first-generation Greek ects with filmmaker Thom and he always found his way Holliman and Alder Hood, facebook.com/WBHOLLIMAN graduated Valedictorian and sistersFrances Propst Honorary Pallbearers: American ultimately em- Fitzgerald, including the se- Class of 1957 from C.H. home. Being ahusband, father, and Erin Dixon. He was DannyDuhon, John Byerly, braced the laurels and said ries “Sex and Violence” and Daniels High school in preceded in death by Jerry VanShoebrook, Doyle it allowed her to stop living the one-woman play Center,. He obtained grandfather,brother “bubba”, and uncle were high on his parents William Frank Jenkins, Scott McGill,and her life as “a hyphenated “Rose,” in which she por- his undergraduate degree Holliman Jr and Lenore Chris Meyer. from TexasCollege, a list. He loved his familyto American.” The success, trayed an 80-year-old Ukrai- Master’s Degree from the moon and back and she said, allowed them to nian Jew looking back on Stephen F. Austin University would brag on each of break through the barrier of her life. with further study toward them whenever he had the ethnic discrimination, “I love transforming,” aDoctoratedegree. Hughie chance. He is survived by which had been “at times, Dukakis told the Globe and began his career as an his dedicated wife, partner in lifeand music formore Brenda Roberts vicious, unforgiving, and Mail. “It’s the fun part of act- educator in the public isolating.” ing. It’s the easy part, actu- schools in Diboll and Lufkin, than fifty years, Doris; 1962 ~2017 Soon the parts she was of- ally. But it’s getting harder Texas. In 1974,heand his his daughter Raquel (Leo) Brenda, you helped us familymoved to Orange, Daniels and his son Vincent fered were much more sub- and harder for actors to do. impact hundreds of cancer Texaswhereheserved as Allen; grandchildren Noah stantive and the pay got “a You have to have a look, it survivorsand children over a AssistantPrincipal at West Allen, ZoeAllen, IanDaniels lot better,” she told The has to be current, the body period of nearly25years. We Orange Junior High School, and Bryce Allen, siblings, Times. Indeed, with Oscar has to look this way. This is will always remember your and later served as Principal Reggie McClelland (Tammy), kindness. gold to her name, her agent the enemy of transforma- of Jones Elementary and Kathy(Michael)Haynes, We thoughtofyou with told her she would get a tion.” Personnel Director for and niece Vanessa (Al) love today the West Orange Cove Davis. His brother-in-laws, but thatisnothing new IndependentSchool District. men who arelikebrothers, We thoughtabout you Hughie loved his students, manynieces/nephews and Home, Nederland. yesterday DECEASED education and investing in greatnieces/nephews will T.J. Wilkerson Sr., and days before thattoo, those around him. He set miss him dearly. Numerous Pauline “Sissy” We think of you in silence 91, of Victoria, died high standards forall of cousins, familyfriends, and ... We often speak your WE LOVE YOU! Barnett, 71, of Bridge April 28, 2021, Claybar his students and inspired those thatwereonthe name Regina, Norma, Brittany, City, died April 29, Funeral Home. them to reach fortheir weeklyspeed dial and text All we have arememories LeAnn, L.C.,Jackie and 2021, Broussard’s, dreams. Hughie retired from list, will miss him every and your pictureinaframe Brenda E. education in 1998, but he single day. North Major Drive. SERVICES TODAY Your memory is our andall of your other never stopped teaching and To honor Hughie, a Bobbie A. Cowart, keepsake friends at GiftofLife, IEA- learning. He wasanavid Memorial with the Prostate 89, of Beaumont, died Raymond Douglas with which we’ll never part Inspire, Encourage, Achieve, reader,studentofhistory Cancer Foundation has May 1, 2021, Stringer & Dowden, Stringer & God has you in His keeping and the “I Have ADream” and familyancestry and been established. In lieu of Griffin Funeral Home, Griffin Funeral Home, flowers,contributions and We have you in our hearts. Programs gardening. Woodville. Jasper, 2 p.m. Hughie desired to make gifts maybemade via www. pcf.org/HughieAllen